Dear UU,
The envelope season has made my son a very happy person. As you may recall, I was concerned about his uneven high school grades and how his story would be greeted by admissions officers. Consequently, I required him to visit an extensive list of schools and he came up with a long list for colleges he thought he would be happy attending. He applied to 16 schools; results include 12 acceptances, 3 rejections and one waitlist. While he did not apply for financial aid, he received "enticement money" from 5 schools. Needless to say, he has once again had the opportunity to say, "Mom, you worry too much."

I am convinced that the key to his success was his essays. As was the case with his older brother, your writing process helped him create an essay that was both reflective of who he is and would be like no other. Both boys' essays were on target and completely different, as are they. Once again, the fall writing season transpired without any tense parent/student incidents. He always came home enthused about how the essay seemed to "magically" evolve. I knew the writing would progress, but little did I know that you and he would have music in common and that he would come home and say, "Maxene's the coolest adult I have ever met." That was a bonus!

Once again, I thank you for what you do to help kids find their voice and become proud of themselves in a way they would not have expected. I trust you are hearing from many other happy students.

~LS, Stamford, CT

Dear UU
In psychology we observe master therapists conduct sessions in rooms with a one-way mirror. Watching you thru this transcript has the same feel. What amazing gifts you are sharing with these students!!! Astounding.

~RW, Westport, CT

I have never seen my son so focused on any writing assignment or, for that matter, school related activity since he began preschool at age three. I decided early on in this exercise that I would be a bystander and leave it to you and him to complete the necessary essays for the college applications.

Dropping him off for the first session at your house, it was clear he was nervous and unsure of what he was in for. Each time he returned from a session, he was more and more excited about the final product. It was amazing to see the excitement and enthusiasm he felt for the essay. He loved the content; he was proud of the message he was sending.  Although I know you helped polish the final product (grammatically), he never once said it was not his thoughts and ideas. At the end of the day, he is convinced that his essay helped differentiate him from other students and gave him the edge to get into six schools, including his first choice!

I would strongly recommend your services to my friends and family, and will have my daughter meet with you when she is ready to apply to college next year. Thanks for making the college application process a lot easier and less frustrating for parents."

~RS, Darien, CT

“Of all the things that I’ve done as a parent to help Benjamin get into the college of his choice—calling you was the best!!! His whole attitude toward the essay has changed. He is excited about it and totally enjoying writing it. Thank you SO much!” (Admitted to BRANDEIS, early decision.)

~AL, White Plains, NY

“I had to let you know Patrick got into all six of the schools he applied to: UColorado @ Boulder, UVM, Lasalle, Stonehill, St. Anselm, not to mention Early Action to St. Michael’s! What a confidence builder that has been to my LD-ADD son—to go to from worrying whether he’d get into any colleges at all to deciding which one he wants to go to. You were absolutely wonderful!”

~LM, Stamford, CT

Dear UU:
Thank you. I've been dying to read this! There are no surprises in the content. What I am astounded by is Will's willingness to get this down on paper. Such maturity and introspection. This from the child who was told his writing was horrible by his 4th grade teacher who couldn't see beyond the spelling errors. Whatever you did worked beautifully. Whether or not it gets him into the college of his choice, I will cherish this piece forever.

~CL, Fairfield, CT

“There is no doubt in my mind that the college essays that my son wrote under your supervision and incredible guidance got him an early decision acceptance into Dickinson College. From the first family meeting with you, we all knew we had a perfect match! There was never a time that he did not enthusiastically bound into the car and to your home. He was mesmerized by your writing process and in the end certainly reaped the reward. He will continue to work with you I am sure during his college years and in two years’ time, my younger son will begin the college process and once again, you will find us at your doorstep!”

~DM, Greenwich, CT